“Midwives play a vital role in families’ lives at an extremely vulnerable time – I’m so proud of the fantastic teams we have in the Black Country.”
International Day of the Midwife (IDM) falls on Monday 5 May and the Black Country Local Maternity and Neonatal System (BCLMNS) is highlighting the invaluable contribution its staff make to Maternity Services.
The theme for this year’s IDM is “Critical in every crisis” and Helen Hurst BCLMNS Chief Midwifery Officer, said it was important to acknowledge some of the “extremely difficult” circumstances Midwives work in.
She explained: “The vast majority of pregnancies and births have a happy ending and leave us all with a warm glow and a tremendous feeling of achievement and joy.
“But I think it’s equally important to reflect on some of the stories that don’t have such a happy ending as it embraces the theme of this year’s focus of Midwives being critical in every crisis. They are present in some extremely challenging circumstances – being the comforting arms around those who suffer baby loss or birth complications and trauma that can have life-changing impacts for instance.
“Our Midwives feel some of the pain that families suffer too and we often hear stories from bereaved parents who remark upon witnessing this empathy and compassion at such a heartbreaking period in their lives. They never forget the love and support that they are shown.
“I have heard Midwives described as “first responders” and this description is very apt when considering how they work and react. They are also tremendous support systems for each other, both in their immediate teams and across the wider Black Country system. They are there for each other through good times and bad and it is so reassuring to know they are looking out for each other in this way.
“Midwives play a vital role in families’ lives at an extremely vulnerable time – I’m so proud of the fantastic teams we have in the Black Country. On IDM I want each and every one of them to know they are valued and appreciated and thank them for all they do for our communities.”
The BC LMNS brings together all those who are involved in providing and organising Maternity care such as Midwives, Obstetricians, service users, Neonatal staff, managers, commissioners, public health, educators, perinatal mental health providers and GPs. It is working to ensure services respond to the challenge set out nationally in Better Births to become more personalised and more responsive.